Folding awning



T. J. BOTTOM FOLDING AWNING Oct. 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1960 I NVENTOR THEODORE u. BOTTOM CoM M ATTORNEYS Oct. 10, 1961 T. J. BOTTOM 3,003,550

FOLDING AWNING Filed Feb. 15, 1960 0 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.7.

INVENTOR THEODORE U. BOTTOM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,003,550 FOLDING AWNING Theodore J. Bottom, Kirkwood, Mo. Aluma Kraft Manufacturing Company, 1330 N. Rock Hill Road, St. Louis 24, Mo.)

Filed Feb. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 8,545 4 Claims. (Cl. 160-62) This invention relates generally to improvements in an awning, and more particularly to improvements in a folding awning capable of being compactly packaged and stored.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an awning that can be conveniently folded to a relatively flat position and hence packaged in a relatively thin box or container. There are many advantages realized by this type of construction. For example, many more awnings can be stored in any given space as compared with :the number of similar awnings fully assembled and rigid. In addition, such awnings, when folded, can be more easily handled both in the warehouse and by the ultimate purchaser.

An important object is achieved by the provision of side members at each end of the awning roof, the side members being connected to the roof by hinges that en? able the side members to be selectively folded toward each other in overlapping relation to the roof, and to be selectively extended to a position substantially at a right angle to the roof.

Another important object is afforded by the construction of the awning roof which provides an inclined rigid roof panel leading gently into a rounded, downwardly reversed front portion, and yet includes means so that the component parts of the awning roof can be selectively folded flat for purposes of packing and storage.

Still another important objective is realized by the awning roof that includes an inclined, rigid roof panel having a transverse bottom margin to which a plurality of slats are pivotally connected so that such slats can be selectively rolled or moved into a position to form the above mentioned rounded, downwardly reversed front portion.

Another important object is achieved by the structural arrangement of the hinges interconnecting the side members of the awning to the roof relative to the swiveled connection of the roof slats constituting the front awning roof portion, so that the slats can be folded back onto the roof panel and that the side members can be folded to a position overlying the slats to provide a relatively flat article.

Yet, another important object is realized by providing frames on the side members that extend beyond the bottom of the rigid roof panel to position and retain the slats in their rounded, reversed configuration at the front of the awning.

Another important object is realized by providing an awning that is specifically adapted to be merchandised directly to the average home owner, and which can be easily installed in a minimum of time by the purchaser following only the simplest of instructions.

Other advantages are afforded by the awning construction in that the purchaser can readily condition the v 3,003,550 Patented Oct. 10, 1961 to manufacture, and which can be quickly and easily assembled and installed by anyone.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window awning;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in cross-section, as seen along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in cross-section as seen along line 33 of FIGS. 2 and 8, the side members being illustrated in a folded position by broken lines;

' FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the front portion of the awning similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, but showing the slats folded back onto the rigid roof panel;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in cross-section as seen along line 5--5 of FIGS. 2 and 8;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the awning shown in a folded position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the same type of folding awning, but adapted for a door hood, and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged View, partly in cross-section, as seen in a vertical plane passed fore and aft through the center of the door hood illustrated in FIG. 7, similar to the type of view shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 7, it is seen that the foldable awning is adapted to be applied over a window as is represented in FIG. l, and in addition adapted to be applied as a door hood as is illustrated in FIG. 7. In each of FIGS. 1 and 7, the awning is shown as unfolded and rigidly conditioned for installation over the appropriate building opening.

Because the awnings illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 are of the same basic construction and hence embody the same invention, but differ only in design modification to adapt the particular unit for window (FIG. 1) or for a door (FIG. 7), a detailed description of the window awning illustrated in FIGS. l-6 inclusive will sufiice for the door hood illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The corresponding awning parts of the different awning designs disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 7 are designated by corresponding reference numerals.

The awning when unfolded and conditioned for installation assumes the rigid embodiment shown in FIG. 1. This awning includes a roof generally indicated at 10 inclined downwardly and outwardly from the building wall, the roof 10 flowing gently into a rounded, downwardly reversed front portion referred to at 11. The opposite ends of the roof 10 are closed by side members generally designated at 12.

The roof 10 includes a rigid roof panel 13 of one piece construction. As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the roof panel 13 includes a series of step formations from its upper margin 14 best shown in FIG. 2 to its lower margin 15. The step formations of the roof panel 13 extend longitudinally between the opposed side margins 16 best seen in FIG. 3.

A U-s-haped channel member 17 is disposed at each end of the awning and is arranged to embrace the side margins 16 of roof panel 13. The channel members 17 are secured to the roof panel 13 by a plurality of metal screws 20.

From FIG. 2 it is seen that the upper margin 14 and lower margin 15 of the rigid roof panel 13 are located beyond the ends of the embracing channel members 17. The upper margin 14 is rolled to form a bead that pivotally engages a coacting bead formed on a flashing strip 21. As is conventional, the flashing strip 21 is utilized to fix the top portion of the awningto the building wall.

In addition, the roof includes a plurality of individual slats 22 (a total of 3 in the embodiment disclosed) extending transversely between the side members 12. The slats 22 are disposed in adjacent, edge-to-edge relation to provide a continuation of the roof panel 13, and constitute the rounded, reversed front awning portion 11.

The longitudinal edges of slats 22 are rolled to provide pivotally connected beads so that each slat 22 is pivotally connected to each adjacent slat 22. One of the slats 22 is pivoted or swiveled by a rolled bead formation 23 to the bottom margin of roof panel 13.

When the awning is folded, the slats 22 are folded back onto the roof panel 13 about the pivot connection 23 to provide a substantially flat structure as is shown in FIG. 4. When conditioned for installation, the slats 22 are rolled out about their pivot connections to assume the rounded, reversed juxtaposition illustrated in FIG. 2.

The side members 12 of each awning are of identical construction, but merely reversed. Each side member 12 includes an angle frame 24 extending along one of the side margins 16 of the roof 10. More particularly, each angle frame 24 extends from the top of the roof panel 13 downwardly along the side margin 16, and extends beyond the bottom margin 15 of roof panel 13 to provide a rounded, downwardly reversed angle frame portion 25 at the front of the awning.

At the bottom of each side member 12 is an upwardly facing, U-shaped channel 26 extending from the end of reversed angle frame portion 25 rearwardly with a slight upwardly convexed configuration to a bracket 27. The bracket 27 is aligned vertically with the flashing strip 21 and is adapted to attach the lower portion of the awning to the building wall.

The rear of each side member 12 is defined by another channel 30 disposed vertically and extending between the lower channel 26 and the top portion of angle frame 24.

A rigid panel 31, having the configuration best shown in FIG. 2, has its peripheral margins embraced by channels 26 and 30 and located within the angle frame 24. The side panel 31 is secured to the channels 26 and 30 by a plurality of screws 32.

The side panel 31 is of one piece and has step formations identical to the step formations of roof panel 13. For aesthetic purposes, the step formations extend diagonally parallel to the plane of inclination of the rigid roof panel 13.

As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the angle frames 24 includes a horizontal flange 33 overlapping one of the side margins 16 and channel members 17 of roof panel 13 from the top of the awning downwardly below the bottom margin 15. That portion of flange 33 forming the rounded, reversed front awning portion constitutes a guide means cooperating with the slats 22 in a manner and for the purpose subsequently discussed in detail.

Each angle frame 24 includes a vertical flange 34 defining the outer surface of one side member 12 and enclosing the peripheral edge of its respective side panel 31. A plurality of rivets 35 attach the side panel 31 to the inside of the vertical flange 34 of angle frame 24. The horizontal angle frame flange 33 abuts one of the channel members 17, as is shown in FIG. 3, to determine the extended position of side member 12 at substantially a right angle to the roof 10.

A pair of hinges generally designated at 36 in FIGS. 2 and 8 is located at each end of the awning and connects one of the side members 12 to the roof 10.

More particularly, each hinge 36 includes one hinge part 37 fixed to the side channel member 17 and extending below the roof panel 13. This hinge part 37 includes a pivot rod 38 constituting a pivot axis located a distance spaced below the roof panel 13.

Each hinge 36 includes a coacting hinge part 40 located within and secured to the angle frame 24, and hence secured to the side member 12. The hinge part 30 includes a hook portion 41 embracing the pivot rod 38 of the cooperating hinge part 37.

The side members 12 can be selectively moved from a folded position illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 3, to the extended position, illustrated in full lines at approximately degrees to the roof 10 by swinging the side members 12 about the hinge axes provided by hinge rod 38.

When manufactured, the component parts are assembled so that the side members 12 are connected to the roof 10 by the hinges 36, and the slats 22 are pivotally connected to the roof panel 13. Of course, the roof 10 and side members 12 are fully assembled. Then, the awning is folded for packing.

In folding the awning, the slats 22 are folded back onto the roof panel 13 as is illustrated in FIG. 4. It will appear that the slats 22 are located in the space between the bottom side of the roof panel 13 and the hinge axes so that the side members 12 can be folded inwardly about such hinges 36 in overlapping relation to the roof 10. The resulting folded awning assumes a relatively flat shape as illustrated in FIG. 6, which enables the awning to be easily packaged in a thin carton for storage and shipping.

It will be apparent that the door hood illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be folded, packaged, unfolded and installed in the same manner as the window awning illus trated in FIG. 1.

The purchaser of either the window or door awning opens the end of the shipping carton and slides out the folded awning. With the awning lying flat on its roof surface, or in other words, lying on the top of roof panel 13, the side members 12 are unfolded outwardly about the hinges 36 to a position substantially at 90 degrees with the roof 10. Then, the three bottom slats 22 are rolled out from their folded position to assume the rounded, reversed position within the angle frame portions 25. The slats 22 are easily connected to the angle frames 24 by a plurality of screws 42. The awning is now rigid and ready for installation.

The awning of either FIGS. 1 or 7 is installed by holding the awning in position over the appropriate building opening, either a window or a door. While the awning is swung upwardly as permitted by the swivel connection of the flashing strip 21 in order to afford easy access, the flashing strip 21 is attached to the building. After attachment of the flashing strip 21, the awning is swung downwardly into position and is held firmly in place by screwing the brackets 27 to the building structure. The awning is now in position and ready for use.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, and one modification thereof, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an awning, a rigid roof having a transverse bottom margin and opposed side margins, a side member at each end of said roof, a hinge connecting each side member to one of the side margins of said roof for folding the side members selectively toward each other in overlapping relation to said roof and for selectively extending the side members at a right angle to said roof, each side member including an angle frame extending adjacent one side margin of said roof, said angle frame having one flange extending downwardly and another flange overlapping one side margin of said roof when said side members are extended, said angle frames extending beyond the bottom margin of said roof and being downwardly reversed, a plurality of slats extending transversely of said roof and disposed in adjacent edge-to-edge relation to provide a continuation of said roof, pivot means interconnecting one of said slats to the bottom margin of the roof, and pivot means interconnecting each slat with each adjacent slat, said slats being disposed internally of said angle frames and being selectively turned downwardly and reversed, said slats being secured to one flange of each said angle frame when the side members are extended, and being selectively folded back onto the roof and below the side members when the side members are folded.

2. In an awning, a rigid roof having a transverse bottom margin and opposed side margins, at side member at each end of said roof, a hinge connecting each side member to one of the side margins of said roof for folding the side members selectively toward each other in overlapping relation to the said roof and for selectively extending the side members at a right angle to said roof, each side member including an angle frame extending along one of the side margins of said roof and including a flange overlapping the said one side margin, said angle frames extending beyond the bottom margin of said roof and being downwardly reversed, a plurality of slats extending transversely of said roof and disposed in adjacent edge-to-edge relation to provide a continuation of said roof panel, pivot means interconnecting one of said slats to the bottom margin of the said roof, and pivot means interconnecting each slat with each adjacent slat, said slats being selectively disposed internally of said angle frames and being selectively turned downwardly and reversed and secured to said angle frames of said side members when the side members are extended, each said hinge having one part secured to the roof and a coacting part secured to one of the side members, said hinge parts interconnecting to provide a pivot axis spaced below the roof at distance so that said slats can be folded back selectively onto the roof between the roof and pivot axis to enable folding of said side members.

3. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 2, but distinguishing in that the said hinge parts secured to the roof are secured to the said side margins of said roof and extend downwardly below said roof, and that the coacting hinge parts are located internally of said angle frames and are secured to said angle frames.

4. In an awning, a rigid roof panel having a transverse bottom margin and opposed side margins, a channel member embracing each side margin of said roof panel, said bottom margin being disposed below said channel members, a side member at each end of said roof panel, a plurality of hinges connecting each side member to said roof panel for selectively folding the side members toward each other in overlapping relation to the roof panel and for selectively extending the side members at a right angle to said roof panel, each hinge including one part attached to one of said channel members and extending downwardly below the roof panel and a coacting part secured to one of the side members, each side member including an angle frame extending along one of the channel members of said roof panel, said angle frames including one flange extending downwardly and another flange overlapping the said one channel member at the side margin of said roof panel, the angle frames extending beyond said bottom margin of the roof panel and being downwardly reversed, a plurality of slats extending transversely of the roof panel and disposed in adjacent edge-to-edge relation to provide a continuation of said roof panel, pivot means interconnecting one of said slats to the bottom margin of the roof panel, and pivot means interconnecting each slat with each adjacent slat, said slats being disposed internally of said angle frames and being selectively turned downwardly and reversed and secured to said angle frames of said side members when the side members are extended, said hinge parts interconnecting to provide pivot axes spaced below the roof panel a distance so that said slats can be folded back selectively onto the roof panel between the roof panel and pivot axes to enable folding of said side members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 878,284 Frantz Feb. 4, 1908 2,136,012 Jones Nov. 8, 1938 2,465,724 Hembree Mar. 29, 1949 2,557,676 Miller June 19, 1951 2,579,198 Logan et al. Dec. 18, 1951 2,867,273 Brennan et al. Jan. 6, 1959 

